JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for the murder of his wife and adult son and for killing a neighbor's dog.
On July 25, Judge Michael P. Joyce sentenced Todd Michael Donovan to a life in prison without parole for 50-years for counts one and two, first degree premeditated murder and 30 days for the count three cruelty to animals, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office..
In April of 2024, Donovan pleaded guilty to the charges of first degree murder and cruelty to animals.
Just before 8:30p.m. Nov. 1, police responded on the report of an armed disturbance at a home in the 7900 block of Hallet in the city of Lenexa, according to a media release. As officers arrived, they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of the residence.
Lenexa officers spoke on the phone with the individual suspected of firing shots and learned 53-year-old Todd M. Donovan was inside his residence on Hallet.
Donovan refused to comply with officer’s requests to come outside peacefully and the Lenexa Tactical Team and crisis negotiators responded on the barricade operation. Negotiators spoke with Donovan for nearly two hours before he discontinued dialogue.
Just before 2a.m. the next morning, members of the Lenexa Tactical Team entered the residence and took Donovan into custody. He was taken to an area hospital due to a possible overdose.
Officers located two individuals later identified as Donovan's wife 52-year-old Sheila Donovan and his son 22-year-old Tyler Donovan deceased inside the home. The preliminary investigation indicates that both were shot. As part of this investigation, it was also learned that a neighbor's dog was shot and killed around the same time that officers responded on the initial call.